When reading the book just isn't enough.

If there was anyone who could attest to the truth in the title of last week's featured book, 'Love Is Never Painless,' it's got to be 'Divorce Court' judge Lynn Toler. She's the new face on the bench, having replaced Judge Mablean Ephriam, and she's got quite a bit of experience. Before she became a "TV Judge," Toler made a name for herself as an elected municipal judge in a mostly white community, and a Republican in a district where Democrats held a 5:1 majority. She saw over 25,000 cases a year, during which time she realized that it was her mother's rules & guidelines that were helping her deal with more than a few cases. So when Toler fond the time, and a publisher, she decided to share what her mother taught her in the appropriately titled ‘My Mother’s Rules: A Practical Guide to Becoming an Emotional Genius.' And if you're thinking that life's been a box of chocolates for Toler because she's young, black, successful and not rapping or playing sports, listen to the interview and find out why her story is much more than you would have ever expected. Plus, check out the YouTube clip of Toler in action.

morethanwordsbv at 2:39:24 PM EST Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 28 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

Even if you don't know a thing about erotic literature, I'm willing to bet that you do know about Zane. Her name has been synonymous with sex for the last decade and her rise from indie author to publishing powerhouse is one for the records. It's also one that's been told many times over the last decade, so Zane and I kind of steered clear of that during our two-part interview. What we did talk about was her latest book, 'Love Is Never Painless,' and Eileen M. Johnson and V. Anthony Rivers, two author's whose work appears alongside Zane's in the book. But reading and speaking about the book is never enough, for me or Zane, apparently, so we switched gears and talked mostly about the 10,000 person sales force (think Avon with sex books and toys) she's recruiting for and how she was able to fast-track 'Addicted' to theaters in early '07.

morethanwordsbv at 4:35:39 PM EST Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 22 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

You might think you know what life was like in the Pryor household, but trust me, you have no idea. That's how I felt after reading Rain Pryor's 'Jokes My Father Never Taught Me: Life, Love, and Loss with Richard Pryor.' Rain's father, the legendary comedian Richard Pryor, was an interesting man for many reasons, and his daughter is no different. During the interview Rain and I talked about the book, and which parts were most difficult for her to put on paper, but we also discussed her role as an MS Lifelines Ambassador.  And, considering her father's infamous use of the n-word in his stand-up routines, I had to ask Rain what she thought about Michael Richards using it. Her response was classic! So check out the interview, read the excerpt and let me know what you think.

morethanwordsbv at 12:12:55 PM EST Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 6 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

Natalie Y. Moore and Natalie Hopkinson, two seasoned journalists and proud Black Feminists of the hip-hop generation, take a new look at media potrayals of black masculinity in their book 'Deconstructing Tyrone.' After your reaction to last week's guest Carmen Bryan, these two ladies are just what many of you say you're looking for. Well, we'll see. And before you start assuming that this book amounts to 'Bashing Tyrone,' you should listen to the interview. It won't be hard to understand why Tom Joyner, Jr. is giving them kudos "for presenting us in a true light."

morethanwordsbv at 11:27:55 AM EST Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 3 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

After reading the reaction to Carmen Bryan's interview, it's plain to see that most of you were expecting Carmen to get the same treatment here that she received on Wendy Williams' show. Well, that's not going to happen. This blog is about the books, while Wendy's show is all about the drama. For those of you outside of the Big Apple, I've included the links to her show below. As you'll be able to hear, Carmen's definitely NOT afraid of the tough questions or straight insults.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

morethanwordsbv at 12:07:52 PM EST Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 9 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

We've finally made it to the fourth quarter, and everyone who is anyone in the entertainment industry is dropping products -- from CDs to books to video games and consoles. It's officially game time in every genre. And while hip-hop heads have been fed with a healthy dose of Jay-Z via 'Kingdom Come,' and are still waiting to feast on new releases from Nas, The Clipse and Ghost Face, it should be noted that there is narry a female on the field playing in this quarter -- that is, except for Carmen Bryan. Mother of Nas' 10-year-old daughter, one-time muse to Jay-Z ('Is That Your Chick' was supposedly about her), and fling (her words) of NBA star (and wannabe rapper) Allen Iverson, Bryan has finally published 'It's No Secret, From Nas to Jay-Z, From Seduction to Scandal -- A Hip-Hop Helen of Troy Tells All,' the official version of her highly-anticipated tell-all. Is Carmen wrong for telling us what really led to one of hip-hop's biggest beef? Are Jay-Z and Nas wrong for making her a part of it? Is this book anything like 'Confessions of a Video Vixen' or 'The Rolexxx Club'? Well, the answer to the latter is NO. But you'll have to read the excerpt and listen to the interview if you want to be able to answer the other two questions everyone is asking. I think that hip-hop history has definitely been made with this one, in my opinion.

 

**PLEASE NOTE: If you're wondering why your posts are deleted it is because you have posted the same post multiple times. As you can see, we are open to all voices being heard, but we will not tolerate what is basically spamming of this blog. If we notice that certain screennames are guilty of this on a consistent basis we will have no choice but to ban that screenname.  It's not asking much, but for the sake of these discussions, we've got to ask. Thanks! -- Ken Gibbs Jr

morethanwordsbv at 6:48:19 PM EST Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 146 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

Mo'Nique is a very special lady, and I'm not just saying that because she called me a King at the end of our interview. Over the last decade her star has risen, from being radio personality, comedian and TV star, to becoming a movier star (see how she represented at the 2006 American Black Film Festival), author and inspiration for full-figured women around the world. I talked with Mo'Nique recently about her latest book, 'Skinny Cooks Can't Be Trusted,' and wasn't surprised when she told me how it was about so much more than just food. She reminded me what dinner time was all about: sitting around the table with family and friends, communicating, enjoying good food and company. But she did surprise me when I asked her about her upcoming Charm School with the women of the Flavor of Love on VH1 (LOL!).

So listen to the interview (and pardon me for mistaking the corn pudding on the cover for baked macaroni), see what recipes are in the excerpt, and let me know what you think. Should every book about food in this day and age be about dieting? Should Mo'Nique be encouraging brothers and sisters to watch their cholesterol instead of just enjoying a good meal?

morethanwordsbv at 8:16:29 AM EST Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 51 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

Although people are more familiar with names like Relentless Aaron or Vickie Stringer when the terms "urban lit" or "street lit" come up, K'wan is one of the few authors that's racking up book sales and media coverage without nearly as much self promotion. As you'll hear in my interview, K'wan actually began with Vickie Stringer's legendary Triple Crown Publishing and has since moved on to St. Martin's Press. But don't think K'wan just jumped ship and left Vickie when St. Martin's came calling, she actually helped secure his deal with St. Martin's and currently acts as his agent. It's that added knowledge from an industry vet, raw talent, and the dedication of St. Martin's Press to reach K'wan's core audience (check me out interviewing K'wan in Harlem at his Literati Lounge event) that has led to opportunities like his recent feature in Time Magazine.

He's a busy guy, but I was able to get him on the phone to talk about how he went from hustling weed to books, rising through the ranks, and what, if any, obligation authors of this recent incarnation of urban lit have to be responsible about the content they're presenting to their audience.

Listen to the interview and read an excerpt here

morethanwordsbv at 10:22:32 AM EST Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 3 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

Tiffany L. Warren's 'Farther Than I Meant To Go, Longer Than I Meant To Stay' will surely resonate with readers out there. Eveyone knows someone who is or has been a relationship for too long, and just needs to get out. As you'll see when you listen to the interview, Tiffay had a lot of those friends, and that gave her the idea for the book.

morethanwordsbv at 8:31:03 PM EST Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 8 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

Eric Pete, author of popular titles 'Gets No Love' & 'Don't Get It Twisted,' tells the story behind his latest book 'Lady Sings The Cruels.' You can listen to the interview, read and excerpt and more here. Ereic and I had a good conversation that covered everything from the inspiration for 'Lady' to the his relocation from New Orleans to Texas after Hurricane Katrina.

morethanwordsbv at 9:43:53 AM EST Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 1 comments: Show Recent | Add your own